MOSCOW, September 15. /TASS/. Diplomatic, trade and economic ties between Georgia and South Ossetia can be established only after Georgia acknowledges all crimes committed in the past 25 years, South Ossetian Ambassador to Russia Znaur Gassiyev told Tass on Thursday.
"We have no trade, economic or diplomatic relations with Georgia since this neighboring state acted as aggressor. From 2008, communication proceeds through Geneva discussions, there has been 36 (rounds), but we have failed as of yet to achieve pledges on non-use of force from our southern neighbor," the diplomat said.
"The Georgian government keeps thinking, while respective documents remain unsigned," he went on. "We can start building our relations with Georgia anew only after they admit all crimes they have committed in the past 25 years, when population was methodically eliminated and infrastructure destroyed," Gassiyev said.
The ambassador also noted that by refusing to sign a document on non-use of force, Georgia reserves the right to get back to a policy of expansion and genocide against South Ossetia.
Geneva discussions on security and stability in Transcaucasia has been held since 2008 on the basis of agreements between the then presidents of Russia and France, Dmitry Medvedev and Nicolas Sarkozy, reached after Georgia attacked South Ossetia in August 2008.
On August 8, 2008, Georgian forces attacked the breakaway region of South Ossetia. Russia sent its forces into the region to protect the citizens of South Ossetia, many of whom held Russian passports, and expelled the Georgian forces.
Russia then recognized the independence of Abkhazia, another breakaway region, and South Ossetia, after which Georgia broke off diplomatic relations with it.